Glossary

A

author certificate

The author certificate identifies the author and enables future updates to the plugin. The same key must be used in all versions of your plugin, so you should keep it in a safe and secure place.

Automation

An AWS Lambda or WebHook endpoint with a RESTful API interface. Monitors events from IoT devices and automatically interacts with them through the SmartThings API.

C

capability

Capabilities specify the features of the device, as defined in the capabilities reference. These may consist of attributes (state information or properties of the device) and commands (ways to control or actuate the device).

catalog

A comprehensive product listing of SmartThings IoT devices that can be managed by the SmartThings app.

cloud-to-cloud device

A device like LIFX, Nest, which connects to SmartThings Cloud through their own cloud. See also directly connected device and hub-connected device.

component

Component is a grouping for capabilities. A device profile must have at least one component. A component called main is automatically created for each new device profile.

custom device plugin

A device plugin with a custom UI and behavior that are programmed through the Device Plugin API. See also default device plugin.

D

default device plugin

A device plugin that uses predefined device capabilities. The capabilities in this plugin can be selected through Developer Workspace or SmartThings SDK and do not require any programming. See also custom device plugin.

Developer Workspace

device identity

A device identity consists of the certificate or public key pairs that are unique to the device. These must be generated and stored in the secure element of the device in the manufacturing phase. SmartThings Cloud supports X.509 and ED25519.

device onboarding

Device onboarding is the process of pairing a directly connected device with the SmartThings app and integrating the device with SmartThings Cloud. The SmartThings app guides the user through each step of device onboarding with images and text that you can customize.

device plugin

A web app that integrates into the SmartThings app, enabling consumers to manage a SmartThings IoT device. Because the web app uses HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and JSON, it can run with the native SmartThings app on both Android and iOS platforms. See also default device plugin and custom device plugin.

device plugin API

A JavaScript API used by device plugins to customize the presentation and control of SmartThings IoT devices.

device plugin simulator

A development tool used to preview the UI of a device plugin and verify that it works with the SmartThings app.

device profile

directly connected device

A device that connects directly to SmartThings Cloud. Companies that connect devices using proprietary protocols create a fragmented landscape of devices that cannot interoperate. Samsung seeks to address this fragmentation through the use of open standards. See also cloud-to-cloud device and hub-connected device.

distributor certificate

The distributor certificate identifies the distributor. The issued distributor certificate enables installation of the plugin to the registered device for testing. After the plugin is uploaded to the Stores, it is replaced by the official distributor certificate.

H

hub-connected device

A device that connects to SmartThings Cloud through a hub. Includes Zigbee, Z-Wave, and LAN devices. See also directly connected device and cloud-to-cloud device.

L

live logging

Live logging is available in the Tools menu in Developer Workspace and displays a live capture of events from your installed SmartApps and connected devices.

M

Manufacturer ID (MNID)

This is a unique 4-letter ID assigned to developers that is available to view from My Page > MNID. This number is used in an SSL configuration file to generate a certificate signing request to get a plugin author certificate on Developer Workspace.

SmartThings API

A RESTful API used by Automations and SmartThings Connectors to integrate, control, and monitor SmartThings IoT devices and services through SmartThings Cloud.

SmartThins app

A mobile app that centrally and remotely manages SmartThings IoT devices. The app can monitor device status, detect events, and control device capabilities. Supported on Android and iOS devices.

SmartThings CLI

A JavaScript-based command line interface (CLI) that developers can use instead of the Atom-based GUI and code editor to integrate SmartThings IoT devices into SmartThings Cloud.

SmartThings Cloud

A single cloud-based platform that seamlessly connects SmartThings IoT devices, providing a central consumer touchpoint through the SmartThings app as well as a SmartThings API for intelligent Automations.

SmartThings IoT device

SmartThings Schema

The SmartThings Schema is a specification for use in a cloud-to-cloud device integration. It does not require using the SmartThings API. The Schema defines the format of the JSON payloads sent from your server.

T

Tizen RT

A real-time, lightweight, low-overhead Linux operating system that developers use to write software to control electrical devices so they can be remotely controlled IoT devices.

W

Works with SmartThings

Works with SmartThings (WWST) certification offers professional, comprehensive testing and grants official certification for your product, allowing you to save valuable development resources and reducing market risk by detecting and resolving issues early on. An approved device is certified and published to the SmartThings catalog within 30 business days.